The NFL's most storied rivalry is played for the 162nd time today when the Packers and Bears meet in Chicago.

        And this game is one of the few in which both teams are legitimate contenders. In fact, first place in the NFC Central is on the line. Chicago is 6-1 after two straight overtime victories that ended with safety Mike Brown returning tipped interceptions for touchdowns.

        “We can't keep doing this,” Bears wide receiver Marty Booker said. “We're giving people heart attacks.”

        Green Bay is 5-2.

        The Bears lead the series 83-71-6 (plus 1-0 in the playoffs). The teams have put a combined 43 players and coaches into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 24 of them Bears.

        This week's games:

        BILLS (1-6) at PATRIOTS (4-4): The last three between these teams have gone into overtime. This one shouldn't be that close. New England is 4-0 when it scores 21 or more points and should make that 5-0 when it faces a Buffalo defense that's in the bottom third of the league. PATRIOTS 24-17.

        PANTHERS (1-7) at RAMS 6-1): Amazingly, Carolina won both meetings last season, but that was with Steve Beuerlein at QB. Will it be Chris Weinke, Matt Lytle or Jim Harbaugh today? RAMS 35-6.

        COWBOYS (2-5) at FALCONS (3-4): Ryan Leaf becomes fourth starting quarterback in eight games for Dallas and will try to revive Cowboys' league-worst pass offense against Atlanta's league-worst pass defense, which allows 65-percent completions. Something has to give. FALCONS 24-20.

        PACKERS (5-2) at BEARS (6-1): Green Bay QB Brett Favre's 36 TD passes against Chicago are most against any opponent. Packers have won seven in a row in Chicago and 12 of 14 against Bears. The streak should continue. PACKERS 20-17.

        CHIEFS (2-6) at JETS (5-3): The Jets' Curtis Martin is first in the NFL with 804 rushing yards, and Kansas City's Priest Holmes is second with 711. And neither team can stop the run. JETS 23-21.

        DOLPHINS (5-2) at COLTS (4-3): Indianapolis' second-rated defense faces Miami's fourth-rated defense. But Peyton Manning is 2-5 against Miami. Attempts to slow Dolphins RB Lamar Smith have opened up pass offense for Jay Fiedler. DOLPHINS 28-27.

        VIKINGS (3-4) at EAGLES (4-3): Minnesota is 0-3 on the road and has been outscored 86-39. The death of Korey Stringer has haunted this team since training camp, and now the organization is being sued for $100 million by Stringer's family. EAGLES 27-17.

        SAINTS (4-3) at 49ERS (5-2): San Francisco guard Ray Brown, who didn't allow a sack last season, will be matched against New Orleans tackle La'Roi Glover, who had 17. Niners now run the ball as well as they pass it. 49ERS 17-13.

        GIANTS (4-4) at CARDINALS (2-5): The 2001 Giants certainly aren't the overachieving Giants of 2000. New York is 24-11-1 under coach Jim Fassel against NFC East rivals. Arizona has several players hurt on defense, which should make the road game easier for the Giants to handle. GIANTS 23-7.

        STEELERS (5-2) at BROWNS (4-3): Both teams come in after losing games they should have won last week. Defenses are tied for AFC-low nine touchdowns allowed. Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart should continue playing well enough to keep defenses honest against RB Jerome Bettis, whose 703 yards are third-best in league. STEELERS 18-12.

        CHARGERS (5-3) at BRONCOS (4-4): Even though it's a down year in Denver, the Broncos have won five of their last six home games against the Chargers. With 67 receptions, Denver wide receiver Rod Smith has the most catches after eight games in league history. BRONCOS 27-24.

        BUCCANEERS (3-4) at LIONS (0-7): This could be a long day for both quarterbacks, Tampa Bay's Brad Johnson and Detroit's Charlie Batch. Neither team can run the ball or protect the passer, but Detroit is weaker than Tampa Bay. BUCCANEERS 19-6.

        RAIDERS (6-1) at SEAHAWKS (3-4): Seattle has to improve rush defense that gave up 230 to Redskins last week. Raiders RB Tyrone Wheatley has averaged 111 yards rushing in last three against Seahawks. RAIDERS 30-21.

        RAVENS (5-3) at TITANS (3-4): First-ever Monday night game for Baltimore, which has won three in a row overall over Tennessee. Five of past eight meetings have been decided by four points or fewer. RAVENS 16-14.

        BENGALS (4-3) at JAGUARS (2-5): Bengals 24, Jaguars 23

        LAST WEEK: 10-4. OVERALL 65-47.

Bengals now have 2nd-half stakes Key to today's game McGee could be target Who's got the edge? Jaguars-Bengals by the numbers Two Bengals already super bowlers Mark Curnutte's NFL power ratings Picking today's NFL games

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